Allegri says he told Rabiot he was free to join Manchester United

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Adrien Rabiot came close to a move to Manchester United in the summer. It has worked out well that he stayed at Juventus.

United signed Real Madrid ace Casemiro instead, making a more expensive and ambitious move once negotiations over Rabiot’s salary fell through.

One man whose perspective we have not heard until now on Rabiot’s near move, was Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri.

The Italian manager has now come out and confirmed he told Rabiot he was free to leave the club if he chose to.

Allegri told Rabiot he was free to leave

Speaking after Juventus’ 2-0 win over Inter Milan in which Rabiot scored the first goal, Allegri admitted he had given Rabiot permission to leave.

Allegri was quoted by Calciomercato: “I told Rabiot that if he was happy to go to Manchester he could go, but he remained and remains an important player.

“I only reminded him that he was esteemed at Juve, that I consider him a great player with important margins for improvement. He’s of maturity age and he played an amazing game.”

With new Juventus signing Paul Pogba out injured the entire season so far, Rabiot has enjoyed an extended run in the side.

The 27-year-old played well in addition to his goal against Inter, winning three tackles, more than any player on either side.

The Frenchman may be pleased he stayed, although it hasn’t been easy. Juventus are having a poor season, currently fifth in Serie A, they have slumped as low as eighth.

They have also crashed out of the Champions League already, and Rabiot posted on Instagram that he was ‘immensely frustrated’.

ESPN had reported that his move to United fell through amid his desire for an excessive salary as ‘compensation for giving up Champions League football’, something he has done after six group games anyway.

United have signed a superstar with Casemiro instead, and there are no tears being shed in Manchester at the deal falling through, nor were there at the time.